Stoke City F.C.

Stoke City F.C.
Stoke City badge
Full name Stoke City Football Club
Nickname(s) The Potters
Founded 1863 (as Stoke Ramblers)
Ground Britannia Stadium
Stoke-on-Trent
(Capacity: 28,383)
Chairman Peter Coates
Manager Tony Pulis
League Premier League
2010–11 Premier League, 11th
Home colours
Away colours
Current season

Stoke City Football Club is a football club based in Stoke-on-Trent, Staffordshire, England. Founded in 1863, Stoke is the oldest club in the Premier League, and thought to be the second oldest professional football club in the world, after Notts County.

Stoke play their home fixtures at the Britannia Stadium, a 28,384 all-seater stadium reduced to 27,598 after segregation. The stadium was opened in 1997; prior to this date Stoke had played at the Victoria Ground, which had been their home ground since 1878 (119 years which has only been surpassed by Wolverhampton Wanderers). The club's nickname is The Potters (after the pottery industry in Stoke-on-Trent) and their home kit is a red-and-white vertically striped shirt with white shorts and white socks.Prior to their 2008 promotion, Stoke had not participated in top flight football since the 1984–85 season, in which they were relegated with a total of 17 points, a record low total for twenty-one years. Stoke's first major trophy was won in the 1972 League Cup Final, when they beat Chelsea 2–1. The club have won the Football League Trophy on two occasions, firstly in 1992 and most recently in 2000.

Contents

History

Formation

Chart showing the progress of Stoke City F.C. through the English football league system from the inaugural season in 1888–89 to 2007–08 when Stoke won promotion to the Premier League

Stoke City F.C., considered to be the second-oldest English football league club, formed in 1863, under the name Stoke Ramblers, when pupils of Charterhouse School formed a football club while apprentices at the North Staffordshire Railway works in Stoke-on-Trent.[1] The club's first documented match was five years later, in October 1868, against an EW May XV at the Victoria Cricket Club ground. Henry Almond, the club's founder, was also captain, and scored the club's first ever goal. During this period they played at the Victoria Cricket Ground; however, they switched to a nearby ground at Sweetings Field in 1875 to cope with rising attendances.[1]

The Stoke team, pictured during the 1870s.

In 1878, the club merged with Stoke Victoria Cricket Club, and became Stoke Football Club.[1] They moved from their previous ground, Sweetings Field, to the Athletic Club ground, which soon became known as the Victoria Ground.[2] It was around this time that the club adopted their traditional red-and-white striped kit. In August 1885, the club turned professional.[1]

Stoke was one of the twelve founding members of The Football League when it was introduced in 1888.[3] The club struggled in their first two seasons, 1888–89 and 1889–90, finishing bottom on both occasions.[4] In 1914, the First World War meant the league was suspended for four years, until it eventually recommenced in August 1919. During this wartime period, Stoke entered the Lancashire Primary and Secondary leagues.[5]

The Victoria Ground and Stanley Matthews

Stanley Matthews made more than 350 appearances for Stoke City. He is considered to be one of the world's greatest players.

The club became owners of the Victoria Ground circa 1919. This was followed by the construction of the Butler Street stand, which increased the overall capacity of the ground to 50,000.[6] In 1925, Stoke-on-Trent was granted "city status" and this led the club to change its name to Stoke City F.C. in 1928.[7]

The 1930s saw the début of club's most celebrated player, Stanley Matthews. Matthews, who grew up in Hanley, was an apprentice at the club and made his first appearance in March 1932,[8] against Bury, at the age of 17.[9] By end of the decade, Matthews had established himself as an England international and as one of the best footballers of his generation. Stoke achieved promotion from the 2nd Division in 1932–33 – as champions – however Matthews only featured in fifteen games in this season. He did however score his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win against local rivals Port Vale.[9]

By 1934, the club's average attendance had risen to over 23,000, which in turn allowed the club to give the manager Tom Mather increased transfer funds. The club was now considered one of the top teams in the country. It was in this period that the club recorded its record league win, a 10–3 win over West Bromwich Albion in February 1937. In April of that year, the club achieved its record league crowd – 51,373 against Arsenal. Freddie Steele's 33 league goals in the 1936–37 season remains a club record.[9]

Title challenge and league decline

Bob McGrory spent 31 years at Stoke City as both player and manager.

The outbreak of World War II prevented any further progress as the league was suspended during the 1939–40 season for a period of 6 years. Following the resumption of the FA Cup, tragedy struck as 33 fans died and 520 were injured during 6th round tie away against Bolton Wanderers.[10] In 1946–47, Stoke mounted a serious title challenge. The club needed a win in their final game of the season to win the First Division title. However, a 2–1 defeat to Sheffield United meant the title went to Liverpool instead. Stanley Matthews left with 3 games remaining of the 1946–47 season, opting to join Blackpool at the age of 32.[10] John Malkin replaced him in the number 7 shirt.

Stoke succumbed to relegation from the First Division in 1952–53, during the season Bob McGory resigned as the club's manager after 17 years in the role.[11][12]

The Tony Waddington years

Tony Waddington was appointed as the club's manager in June 1960.[13] He first joined the club in 1952 as a coach, before being promoted to assistant manager in 1957. Waddington pulled off a significant coup by enticing Stanley Matthews – now 46 years old – back to the club, 14 years after he had departed.[14] The return of Matthews helped Stoke to an improved 8th position in 1961–62. Promotion was achieved in the next season, with Stoke finishing as champions.[14] In their first season back in the 1st Division, 1963–64, Waddington guided Stoke to a mid-table finish. Matthews remained influential, as he helped the club to the League Cup final in 1964, although this followed by defeat to Leicester City over two legs.[14]

Waddington counted on experience; Dennis Viollet, Jackie Mudie, Roy Vernon, Maurice Setters and Jimmy McIlroy were players signed in the latter stages of their careers. Matthews was awarded a knighthood for services to football in the 1965 New Year's Honours list. This was followed by his 701st, and final, league appearance for the club against Fulham in February 1965, shortly after his 50th birthday. Gordon Banks, England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper, joined in 1967 for £52,000 from Leicester.[14] Regarded as the best goalkeeper in the world,[15][16] Banks proved to be a shrewd signing for Waddington as he helped the club maintain stability in the 1st Division.[14] For one season in 1967, Stoke City F.C. was imported as the Cleveland Stokers of Cleveland, Ohio playing in the United Soccer Association. The team emerged as runner-up of the Eastern Division, failing one point short of the championship final.[17]

The club won its first significant trophy on 4 March 1972 in the League Cup Final.[18] Stoke beat favourites Chelsea 2–1 in the final at Wembley Stadium in front of a crowd of 97,852 spectators.[19] Preceding this victory, Stoke had progressed through 11 games in order to reach the final. This included four games with West Ham United in the semi-final; the two-legged match was replayed twice.[20] Stoke fared well in the FA Cup; the club progressed to the semi-final stage in both the 1970–71 and 1971–72 seasons. However, on both occasions Stoke lost to Arsenal in a replay.[19] This was Stoke's best cup run for some time, with them failing to defeat top-flight opposition in the FA Cup from 1975 until a 3–1 victory over Arsenal in the 5th Round of the 2009/2010 competition. Stoke City also became the first First Division side to play a match on a Sunday, when they faced Chelsea on 27 January 1974

The Butler Stand Roof was blown off in a storm, in January 1976.[21] The repair bill, in the region of £250,000, put the club in financial trouble, which was only eased by the sales of Alan Hudson, Mike Pejic and Jimmy Greenhoff for a combined sum of £440,000. With the team depleted, relegation proved inevitable in 1976–77 season. Waddington, after a spell of 17 years in charge, left the club after a 1–0 home defeat to Leicester in March 1977.[19][22]

The managerial roundabout

Waddington was replaced by George Eastham in March 1977, however he could not halt the club's slide to the Second Division in 1976–77. Eastham did not last long in the job, leaving during the 1977–78 season, in January 1978, after only 10 months in charge. Alan Durban, arriving from Shrewsbury Town, was selected as the club's new manager in February 1978. Durban achieved promotion to the First Division in his first full season in charge, 1978–79, on the last day of the season.[19] After consolidating the club's position in the First Division, Durban left for Sunderland in 1981.[23] Ritchie Barker, who was appointed for 1981–82, had a short spell in charge, but was sacked in December 1983. The club's new manager, Bill Asprey decided to bring back veteran Alan Hudson.[24] The decision paid off as an improved second-half of the season led to Stoke avoiding relegation on the final day of the 1983–84 season.[23]

The next season, commonly referred to as The Holocaust Season by fans,proved to be disastrous. Stoke finished the season with only 17 points, with just 3 wins all season. Mick Mills was appointed player-manager for the 1985–86 season.[23] Mills was unable to sustain a challenge for promotion however, and was sacked in November 1989 following a poor start to the 1989–90 season, after spending £1m on players. His successor, Alan Ball, Jr. became the club's 5th manager in 10 years.[23]

Ball struggled in his first season in charge, 1989–90, and his Stoke were relegated to the third tier of English football after finishing bottom of the Second Division. Ball kept his job for the start of the following season, 1990–91, but departed during February 1991, in the midst of an indifferent season that saw Stoke finish 15th in the Third Division.[25]

Ball's successor, Lou Macari, was appointed in May 1991, prior to the start of the 1991–92 season. He clinched silverware for the club; the Football League Trophy was won with a 1–0 victory against Stockport County at Wembley, with Mark Stein scoring the only goal of the game. The following season, 1992–93, promotion was achieved from the third tier – now known as League One[26] with Stoke finishing as league champions. Macari left in October 1993; Stein also departed, in a club record £1.5m move to Chelsea[25]

Joe Jordan's tenure in charge was short; as he departed the club less than a year after joining. Following Jordan's departure, Stoke opted to reappoint Lou Macari only 12 months after he had left. Stoke finished 4th in 1995–96 but were defeated in the play-off semi-final by Leicester City. Macari left the club at the end of the season, his last game in charge was the final league game at the Victoria Ground.[25] Mike Sheron, who was signed two years previously from Norwich City, was sold for a club record fee of £2.5m in 1997.[27]

The Britannia Stadium and the Icelandic takeover

Stoke moved to the 28,000 all-seater Britannia Stadium in 1997.

1997–98 saw Stoke move to its new ground, the Britannia Stadium,[28][29] after 119 years at the Victoria Ground. Chic Bates, Macari's assistant, was appointed manager for the club's first season in the new ground. He did not last long though, and was replaced by Chris Kamara in January 1998. Kamara could not improve the club's fortunes either, and he too left in April. Alan Durban, previously Stoke's manager two decades earlier, took charge for the remainder of season. Despite his best efforts, Durban was unable to keep the club up, as defeat on the final day of the season consigned Stoke to relegation from Division One.[25] Brian Little, formerly manager of Aston Villa,[30] took charge for the 1998–99 season.[31] Despite an impressive start, the team's form tailed off dramatically in the latter stages of the season, which led to Little leaving the club at the end of the season. His successor, Gary Megson, was only in the job for four months. Megson was forced to depart following a takeover by Stoke Holding, an Icelandic consortium, who purchased a 66% share in Stoke City F.C. for the sum of £6.6m.[32] Stoke became the first Icelandic owned football club outside of Iceland. Stoke appointed the football club's first overseas manager, Gudjon Thordarson, who helped Stoke City win the Auto Windscreens Trophy and earn promotion to the First Division in 2001–02 the springboard to the Premier League six seasons later.[33] Thordarson had, in fact, been the primus motor in getting the consortium together.

The Auto Windscreens Shield was won in the 1999–2000 season, in April 2000, with a win over Bristol City in front of a crowd of 85,057 at Wembley.[7][34] Thordarson achieved promotion at the third time of asking in 2001–02.[35] A second successive 5th-place finish ensured a play-off spot. Cardiff City were defeated in the semi-final before a 2–0 win against Brentford at the Millennium Stadium secured promotion. Despite achieving the goal of promotion, Thordarson was sacked by Gunnar Gislason only days after the club won promotion.[35]

Steve Cotterill was drafted in as Thordarson's replacement prior to the start of the 2002–03 season.[35] Cotterill quit in October 2002, after only 4 months in charge. Tony Pulis was appointed as Stoke's new manager shortly after.[7][36] Pulis steered Stoke clear of relegation,[35] with a 1–0 win over Reading on the final day of the season keeping the club in the division.[37] Pulis was sacked at the end of the 2004–05 season, following disagreement between himself and the club's owners.[38]

Dutch manager Johan Boskamp was named as Pulis' successor on 29 June 2005, only a day after Pulis was sacked.[39] Boskamp broke the club's transfer record in signing Sambégou Bangoura for a fee in the region of £1m.[40] Despite his spending on new players, Boskamp's side was inconsistent and only a mid-table finish was achieved.[41] Boskamp left at the end of the 2005–06 season, amidst a takeover bid by former-chairman Peter Coates.[42] On 23 May 2006, Coates completed his takeover of Stoke City, marking the end of Gunnar Gislason's chairmanship of the club.[43] Coates is a former shareholder of the catering company which supplies to the majority of Northern England's football grounds, Stadia Catering, as well as being the chairman of Bet365,[44] the betting company which provides services in many sporting venues, albeit not including the Britannia Stadium. Coates chose former manager Tony Pulis as Boskamp's successor in June 2006.[45] Pulis took Stoke close to a play-off place, however an eventual 8th-place finish was achieved in the 2006–07 season.[46]

Return to top flight football

Stoke City fans celebrate following promotion to the Premier League, May 4, 2008

Stoke won promotion to the Premier League after a goalless draw with Leicester City on the last day of the 2007–08 season, putting them in 2nd place of The Championship, thus earning automatic promotion. Following their promotion, Stoke signed several players to strengthen their squad, including Dave Kitson, Thomas Sørensen, Abdoulaye Faye, and Danny Higginbotham.

Despite poor runs in the FA Cup and Carling Cup, the club exceeded expectations in terms of 2008–09 League performance. A defeat to Bolton Wanderers[47] on the opening day of the season meant bookmaker Paddy Power paid out on Stoke to be relegated,[48] but fortunes quickly changed. Stoke managed to turn the Britannia Stadium into a "fortress", making it difficult for even established Premier League teams to pick up points there. In the first home game, Stoke managed to pick up three points against Aston Villa, following a 3–2 win[49], and wins also came against Tottenham Hotspur,[50] Arsenal,[51] Sunderland[52] and West Bromwich Albion,[53]. In November, league-champions Manchester United gave Stoke their largest defeat of the season, with a full-time score of 5–0.[54] After a 2–1 win at Hull City,[55] Stoke confirmed their place in the Premier League 2009–10. A defeat to Arsenal away meant that the Potters finished 12th in their return to the top flight, with a total of 45 points.[56]

Over the 2009 summer period, Stoke built on their squad, by signing several established Premier League players, most notably; Robert Huth and Tuncay Şanlı from Middlesbrough and Danny Collins and Dean Whitehead from Sunderland. But the start to the 2009-2010 season was mixed. A comfortable win at home to Burnley, was followed by a 4–0 defeat to Liverpool four days later. The team had a close-run encounter at home with Chelsea, but eventually lost 2–1, thanks to a Florent Malouda goal four-minutes into extra time. Manchester United also defeated Stoke the following week, 2–0. The most surprising result came with a win against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, with manager Tony Pulis describing it as their best win to-date of their Premier League campaign.

Stoke maintained a strong home record as they began the opening 3 months of 2010 unbeaten. Their first home loss of the year came to Arsenal in March after a 3-1 defeat. Stoke recorded away wins at Portsmouth and West Ham and secured safety for the second season in a row after a 2-0 home victory over Hull City. Stoke recorded 1 win in their last 4 games of the 09/10 season; a 1-0 away victory against Fulham. Stoke's season ended disappointingly, with a home loss to Bolton Wanderers and a heavy 7-0 defeat by Chelsea at Stamford Bridge. The final game of the season against second-place Manchester United ended in a 4-0 defeat. Stoke finished the season in a respectable 11th place, with 47 points.

The 2009-2010 season highlighted the need for Stoke to score more goals; the club scored 34 goals in the entire season, the joint-lowest amount, shared with relegated Portsmouth and Hull City. In the summer of 2010, a record £8 million signing in Kenwyne Jones was hoped to improve Stoke's scoring record, along with the addition of striker/winger Jon Walters. Stoke signed 3 more players in the Transfer Window. Former Chelsea, Barcelona and Tottenham striker Eidur Gudjohnsen was signed from Monaco, which was undoubtably their biggest signing since joining the Premier League. They captured former Liverpool and Arsenal midfielder Jermaine Pennant on-loan, they then completed their transfer spree with the signing of Portsmouth defender Marc Wilson.

Stoke began their third consecutive season in the Premier League with three losses. The first came away at Wolverhampton Wanderers, where new signing Kenwyne Jones picked up an ankle injury 10 minutes into the game, and the second the following weekend at home to Tottenham Hotspur, which raised the issue of goal-line technology after a Jon Walters shot crossed the line in added time, but a goal was not given. Their losing run was extended after a 2-0 away defeat to the reigning champions Chelsea, which saw goal-keeper Thomas Sorenson save a Frank Lampard penalty in the opening minutes.

Supporters

Stoke have always enjoyed passionate, popular and loyal support. 51,000 turned out to watch Stoke play Arsenal in 1937 at the old Victoria Ground. A capacity 28,000 regularly turn out to see them in the Premier League.[57]

However, through Stoke's hooligan firm the Naughty Forty[58] they also have a history of Football hooliganism[59] and general hooliganism along with Cardiff City[60] and Millwall. In 2003 the BBC described Stoke City as having "one of the most active and organised football hooligan firms in England". During the late 1980s and 90s trouble was automatically expected when visiting fans with any history met.[61] In response to these criticisms, the club introduced an Away Travel ID scheme,[62] however this was subsequently suspended in 2008 as a result of improved behaviour and an enhanced reputation.[63] Major incidents have occurred with Port Vale, Birmingham City, QPR, Wolves, Everton and Cardiff City.

However, Stoke City's fans and their stadium have also, more recently, been seen as loud, friendly, passionate and modern[64] , welcoming as guests Sugar Ray Leonard[65] and Diego Maradona. There is in the media now "genuine admiration for the volume and volatility of the club's loyal support".[64] The Britannia Stadium is often described as a cauldron. Stoke are fans of "one of the country's most unfashionable football teams, perhaps explaining their feelings that the world is against them.. Their reputation now, rather than racist and nationalistic, is die-hard fans who are amongst the best in the country Crowds in the 2008–9 season have been consistently full with Stoke high in attendance figures for the league in 13th place after 25 games, even though having one of the smaller stadiums in the league. Various other bloggers, journalists and fanzine websites have noted the transformation of their reputation since the return of Peter Coates as chairman.

Nevertheless, most Stoke City fans have to consistently fight their past, and many journalists have agreed that "It is to the great credit of the Stoke supporters that they did not react to this provocation". One Manchester police inspector was clear in seeing Stoke fans as barbarians, advising a female fan that "should know better than to mix with Stoke scum."[66] This same police service that used extraordinary powers to remove fans back to Stoke from the city centre.[67] Liberty (pressure group), have taken up the case of these fans[68][69] for whom anti-terror powers were used.[70] Indeed, Manchester police eventually had to apologize for their own behaviour which was based on historical perception of the fans, not present reality.[71]

Stoke fans mainly consider their biggest rivals to be Port Vale also based in Stoke-on-Trent, as part of the Potteries derby. Although in the past they have stated Wolverhampton Wanderers to be key rivals. With Stoke City's rise to the Premier League coinciding with traditional rival Port Vale's relegation to League 2, and a hard-fought promotion battle with another West Midlands outfit West Bromwich Albion, rivalry with West Brom fans has increased.

Research undertaken by Sky+HD during August,September and October of the 2008–09 season, showed that Stoke fans are the loudest in the Premier League, topping the chart with an average of 101.8 decibels. They were followed by Tottenham Hotspur in second place and Liverpool in third.

″The Britannia is a raw and exciting footballing experience, unwelcoming temperatures and hostile home fans, with the action all played out in a noisy, bearpit atmosphere that is a real throwback. And yes, it is absolutely fantastic.“

Players

As of 31 August 2010.[72]

Current squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
1 Bosnia and Herzegovina GK Asmir Begović
3 England DF Danny Higginbotham
4 Germany DF Robert Huth
5 Wales DF Danny Collins
6 Republic of Ireland MF Glenn Whelan
7 Iceland FW Eiður Guðjohnsen
8 England MF Tom Soares
9 Trinidad and Tobago FW Kenwyne Jones
10 Jamaica FW Ricardo Fuller
11 Mali FW Mamady Sidibe
12 Republic of Ireland MF Marc Wilson
14 England MF Danny Pugh
15 Senegal MF Salif Diao
16 England MF Jermaine Pennant (on loan from Real Zaragoza)
17 England DF Ryan Shawcross (captain)
No. Position Player
18 England MF Dean Whitehead
19 Republic of Ireland FW Jon Walters
20 Turkey FW Tuncay Şanlı
21 England DF Andrew Davies
23 England MF Michael Tonge
24 Republic of Ireland MF Rory Delap
25 Senegal DF Abdoulaye Faye
26 England MF Matthew Etherington
27 England GK Carlo Nash
28 England DF Andy Wilkinson
29 Denmark GK Thomas Sørensen
30 England DF Ryan Shotton
36 England MF Matthew Lund
38 England GK Danzelle St Louis-Hamilton

Out on loan

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
31 England DF Carl Dickinson (at Portsmouth until 30 June 2011)
32 Uruguay MF Diego Arismendi (at Barnsley until 30 June 2011)
35 England FW Ben Marshall (at Carlisle United until 3 January 2010)
42 England FW Louis Moult (at Bradford City until 3 January 2011)
— Senegal DF Ibrahima Sonko (at Portsmouth until 30 June 2011)

Academy Squad

Note: Flags indicate national team as has been defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.

No. Position Player
England GK Dave Parton
England DF Zack Foster
England DF Alexander Hedley
England DF Craig Sinclair
England DF Laton Wint
England DF Nicky Jackson
England DF Connor Roberts-Nurse
England DF Andrew Hall
England DF Travis Gray
England DF Jordan Galloway
England MF Cameron Mitchell
No. Position Player
England MF Jack Harrison
England MF Michael Clarkson
England MF Lucas Dawson
Belgium MF Florent Cuvelier
England MF Jordan Richardson
England MF Unpha Koroma
Ghana MF Allen Bossman
England FW Ryan Brunt
England FW Tunji Jordan
England FW Andrew Musungu
England FW Sam Whitehurst

Former players

For details of former players, see List of Stoke City F.C. players and Category:Stoke City F.C. players.

Club Management

Board, Directors & Presidents
Team Management
Academy Staff
Academy Coaches
Stoke City Football Club

Managerial history

Dates Name Notes
August 1874 – June 1883 England Thomas Slaney
June 1883 – April 1884 England Walter Cox
April 1884 – August 1890 England Harry Lockett
August 1890 – January 1892 England Joseph Bradshaw
January 1892 – May 1895 England Arthur Reeves
May 1895 – September 1897 England Bill Rowley
September 1897 – March 1908 EnglandHorace Austerberry
May 1908 – June 1914 England Alfred Barker
June 1914 – April 1915 Scotland Peter Hodge
April 1915 – Feb 1919 England Joe Schofield
February 1919 – March 1923 England Arthur Shallcross
March 1923 – April 1923 England John Rutherford
October 1923 – June 1935 England Tom Mather
June 1935 – May 1952 Scotland Bob McGrory
June 1952 – June 1960 England Frank Taylor
June 1960 – March 1977 England Tony Waddington
February 1977 – January 1978 England George Eastham
January 1978 England Alan A'Court Caretaker manager
February 1978 – June 1981 Wales Alan Durban
June 1981 – December 1983 England Richie Barker
December 1983 – April 1985 England Bill Asprey
April 1985 – May 1985 England Tony Lacey Caretaker manager
May 1985 – November 1989 England Mick Mills
November 1989 – February 1991 England Alan Ball
February 1991 – May 1991 England Graham Paddon Caretaker manager
May 1991 – October 1993 Scotland Lou Macari
November 1993 – September 1994 Scotland Joe Jordan
September 1994 Scotland Asa Hartford Caretaker manager
October 1994 – July 1997 Scotland Lou Macari
July 1997 – January 1998 England Chic Bates
January 1998 – April 1998 England Chris Kamara
April 1998 – June 1998 Wales Alan Durban Caretaker manager
June 1998 – June 1999 England Brian Little
July 1999 – November 1999 England Gary Megson
November 1999 – May 2002 Iceland Guðjón Þórðarson
May 2002 – October 2002 England Steve Cotterill
October 2002 – November 2002 Scotland Dave Kevan Caretaker manager
November 2002 – June 2005 Wales Tony Pulis
June 2005 – May 2006 Netherlands Johan Boskamp
(June 2006–present) Wales Tony Pulis

Club mascot

Stoke have 2 club mascots called Pottermus, and Pottermiss (a female version of Pottermus). Pottermus was created when Stoke City moved to the Britannia Stadium in the 1997–98 season, while Pottermiss was created in the 2002–03 season. Occasionally, Pottermus, also known as Hippo rides a motorcycle around the pitch in a leather jacket; he was the first club mascot to hold a motorcycle licence and has also won the Mascot Grand National on two occasions. He once removed the head of Nuneaton Borough's mascot, a bear, at one match and also likes to use his wrestling skills on any visiting mascots.

North American club partnership

In January 2008 the Austin Aztex, who joined the United Soccer Leagues in 2009, and Stoke City announced a team partnership and will share training information and players, with Austin acting as a potential player resource for Stoke.[73] The Potters hope the relationship will unearth untapped American talents as Texas is considered to be one of the hotbeds for American football talent. Stoke City also look to build an American fan base by sending young players to get playing time and selling Stoke City merchandise in Austin.

Stoke played a mid-season friendly against Austin Aztex on the 14 October 2009 at Nantwich's The Weaver Stadium. The Aztex are in a partnership with City and their visit was to allow the Americans access to Stoke's training grounds at Clayton Woods as part of their pre-season training.[74]

Club honours

Leagues

Premier League (1st tier)

Football League First Division (1st tier)

Football League Championship (2nd tier)

Football League Division Two: 2 (2nd tier)

Football League Division Two: 1 (3rd tier)

Third Division (North): 1 (3rd tier)

Football Alliance: 1

Birmingham & District League: 1

Southern League Division Two: 1

The Central League (Reserves): 3

United Soccer Association (as Cleveland Stokers)

Cups

League Cup: 1

FA Cup

Autoglass Trophy: 1

Auto Windscreens Shield: 1

Watney Cup: 1

Staffordshire Senior Cup: 13

Birmingham Senior Cup: 2

Isle of Man Trophy: 3

Bass Charity Vase: 1

FA Youth Cup

Records

Attendance records:

Record results:

Record Signing:

Record Sale:

Record Goalscorer:

Record Appearances:

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 "1863–1888 In The Beginning". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401090,00.html. Retrieved 22 June 2007. 
  2. ↑ "Stoke City Football Club". albionroad.com. http://albionroad.com/club-profiles/stoke-city.html. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  3. ↑ "Blackburn Rovers FC". bbc.co.uk. 4 September 2000. http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/h2g2/A416413. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  4. ↑ "1888–1900 Election Fever". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401114,00.html. Retrieved 22 June 2007. 
  5. ↑ "1910–1920 Rebirth". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401134,00.html. Retrieved 22 June 2007. 
  6. ↑ "1920–1930 The Fall And Rise". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401148,00.html. Retrieved 22 June 2007. 
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 The Oatcake (2000-07-19). "SCFC History". oatcake.co.uk. Archived from the original on 2005-10-24. http://web.archive.org/web/20051024065731/http://www.oatcake.co.uk/default.asp?sid=944&p=2&stid=7961133. Retrieved 2009-04-08. 
  8. ↑ "The first gentleman of soccer". BBC News (British Broadcasting Corporation). 23 February 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/football/654300.stm. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  9. ↑ 9.0 9.1 9.2 "1930–1940 Stan's The Man". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401166,00.html. Retrieved 23 June 2007. 
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 "1940–1950 So Near, So Far". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401174,00.html. Retrieved 24 June 2007. 
  11. ↑ "1950–1960 A Foreign Affair". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401576,00.html. Retrieved 23 June 2007. 
  12. ↑ "Bob McGrory's managerial career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm Limited. http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=215. Retrieved 12 July 2007. 
  13. ↑ "Tony Waddington's managerial career". Soccerbase. Centurycomm Limited. http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=1251. Retrieved 12 July 2007. 
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 14.4 "1960–1970 Waddo You Believe It (Part One)". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401587,00.html. Retrieved 26 June 2007. 
  15. ↑ "Gordon Banks". International Footballer Hall of Fame. IFOF West LLC. http://www.ifhof.com/hof/banks.asp. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  16. ↑ "Gordon Banks (England)". Planet World Cup. Jan Alsos. http://www.planetworldcup.com/LEGENDS/banks.html. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  17. ↑ Holroyd, Steve; Litterer, Dave. "The Year in American Soccer – 1967". USA Soccer History Archives. http://www.sover.net/~spectrum/year/1967.html. Retrieved 8 November 2007. 
  18. ↑ "The English League Cup". Napit.co.uk. http://www.napit.co.uk/viewus/infobank/football/leaguecup.php. Retrieved 12 July 2007. 
  19. ↑ 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 "1970–1980 Waddo You Believe It (Part Two)". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401596,00.html. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  20. ↑ "League Cup Results 1972". The English Football Archive. http://www.the-english-football-archive.com/domestic_competitions/results/league_cup/1972.htm. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  21. ↑ "The History of Stoke City Football Club". Red Stripe. http://www.redstripe.com/history.htm. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  22. ↑ "Stoke City – Formed 1863". rotaski.co.uk/stoke. http://www.rotaski.co.uk/stoke.htm. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 23.2 23.3 "1980–1990 Five Managers, Five Chairmen". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401601,00.html. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  24. ↑ Ronald Atkin (16 February 2003). "Football: Hudson: my soft spot for Stoke". The Independent. http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_qn4159/is_20030216/ai_n12735546. Retrieved 29 June 2007. 
  25. ↑ 25.0 25.1 25.2 25.3 "1990–2000 Two Relegations, A Promotion & A Takeover". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401610,00.html. Retrieved 30 June 2007. 
  26. ↑ The name was changed from Third Division to Division Two due to the formation of the Premier League and later to League One, when Division One was renamed The Championship. For more information, see Origins of Premier League.
  27. ↑ "Mike Sheron". ex-canaries.co.uk. http://www.ex-canaries.co.uk/players/sheron.htm. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  28. ↑ Smudge (26 July 2000). "Britannia Stadium". The Oatacke. http://boards.rivals.net/default.asp?sid=944&p=2&stid=7970180. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  29. ↑ "Britannia Stadium". The Stadium Guide. http://www.stadiumguide.com/britanniastadium.htm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  30. ↑ "Little resigns from Villa". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 24 February 1998. http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sport/59792.stm. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  31. ↑ "Brian Little's managerial career". Soccerbase. http://www.soccerbase.com/managers2.sd?managerid=252. Retrieved 12 July 2007. 
  32. ↑ "The History of Stoke City Football Club". Redstripe. http://www.redstripe.com/history.htm. Retrieved 2 July 2007. 
  33. ↑ {http://www.188-football.co.uk/content/feedstory/stoke-city-fc-potters
  34. ↑ "Wembley glory for Stoke City". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 29 June 2000. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/791104.stm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 35.2 35.3 "2000 And Beyond". Stoke City Official Website. Premium TV Limited. http://www.stokecityfc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/History/0,,10310~401616,00.html. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  36. ↑ "Pulis gets Stoke job". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1 November 2002. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/2385193.stm. Retrieved 10 July 2007. 
  37. ↑ "Akinbiyi keeps Stoke up". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 4 May 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_div_1/2967967.stm. Retrieved 12 June 2007. 
  38. ↑ "Manager Pulis is sacked by Stoke". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 28 June 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4630755.stm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  39. ↑ "Boskamp named as new Stoke boss". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 29 June 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4633511.stm. Retrieved 12 June 2007. 
  40. ↑ "Potters complete Bangoura signing". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 30 August 2005. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4181162.stm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  41. ↑ "English League Championship Table – 2005/06". ESPN. Disney Corporation. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=eng.2&season=2005&column=none&order=false&cc=5739. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  42. ↑ "Boskamp confirms exit from Stoke". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 30 April 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/4960852.stm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  43. ↑ "Coates takes over as Stoke owner". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 23 May 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5007780.stm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  44. ↑ "Coates returns to Potters' helm". BBC Radio Stoke (British Broadcasting Corporation). 1 September 2005. http://www.bbc.co.uk/stoke/content/articles/2005/09/01/sport_news_staffordshire_feature.shtml. Retrieved 18 January 2008. 
  45. ↑ "Pulis confirmed as Stoke manager". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 14 June 2006. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/5075140.stm. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  46. ↑ "English League Championship Table – 2006/07". ESPN. Disney Corporation. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/tables?league=eng.2&season=2006&column=none&order=false&cc=5739. Retrieved 1 July 2007. 
  47. ↑ "Bolton 3–1 Stoke". BBC Sport. 16 August 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7551165.stm. Retrieved 6 September 2008. 
  48. ↑ "Play it by the book, Paddy – and give Stoke City a chance". Sportingo. 18 August 2008. http://www.sportingo.com/football/a10000_play-it-by-book-paddy-give-stoke-city-chance. Retrieved 6 September 2008. 
  49. ↑ "Stoke 3–2 Aston Villa". BBC Sport. 23 August 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7565062.stm. Retrieved 6 September 2008. 
  50. ↑ "Stoke 2–1 Tottenham". BBC Sport. 19 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7665101.stm. Retrieved 24 October 2008. 
  51. ↑ "Stoke 2–1 Arsenal". BBC Sport. 1 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7684755.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2009. 
  52. ↑ "Stoke 1–0 Sunderland". BBC Sport. 31 October 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7684596.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2009. 
  53. ↑ "Stoke 1–0 West Brom". BBC Sport. 22 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7727245.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2009. 
  54. ↑ "Man Utd 5–0 Stoke". BBC Sport. 15 November 2008. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/7711301.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2009. 
  55. ↑ "Hull City 1–2 Stoke". BBC Sport. 9 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8023052.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2009. 
  56. ↑ "Stoke 2–0 Wigan". BBC Sport. 16 May 2009. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8038286.stm. Retrieved 18 May 2009. 
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  62. ↑ "ID scheme 'big success'". BBC Sport (British Broadcasting Corporation). 22 January 2003. http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/s/stoke_city/2682885.stm. Retrieved 18 January 2008. 
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